Drafting or lay-out apparatus



Jan. 18, 1938. c. A. sPoTz DRAFTING on LAY-OUT APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 11, 1935 A TTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 18, 1 938 UNITED STATES DRAFTING R LAY-OUT APPARATUS Chester A. Spotz, Laurel, Quebec, Canada, assignor to The Chester A. Spotz Syndicate, 0ttawa, Ontario, Canada Application October 11, 1935, Serial No. 44,591. Renewed December 16, 1937. In Canada April 16 Claims. (01. 33-110) This invention relates to improvements in a drafting or lay-out tool, instrument or apparatus and the principal object of my invention is to provide a means whereby various minute divisions of a scale may be ascertained without the the T-square and a drawing board.

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A further object of my invention is to provide a single scale or a plurality of scales on the working edge of a drawing board and the working edge of a T-square and each scale provided with a plurality of openings to receive a pin to provide for more accurate and greater efiiciency of the principal apparatus embodiment of my invention as hereinafter disclosed.

A further object is to provide interchangeable indication means for use in combination with the means hereinafter referred to as the principal apparatus embodiment of my invention.

A further object is to provide, in associate combination, a T-square and a set-square, the T- square being provided with a stop means adapted to be retained at predetermined positions and the set-square being provided with a means adapted to engage the saidv stop means carried by said T-square and a means of determining successive predetermined movements of said setsquare relative to said T-square for the purpose of facilitating the speed and accuracy in cross sectioning work.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of co-operating elements as hereinafter more specifically set forth, claimed and shown in the accompanying drawing forming a part of the present application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of the preferred embodiment of my invention disclosed as used in combination with the drawing board,v T-square and set-square.

Fig, 2 is a side sectional view of a portion of the T-square, showing the indication pin in position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of a portion of a set-square, a portion of a T-square and disclosing a modified form of a means to permit moving the set-square in predetermined movements relative to the T-square.

Fig. 4 is a transverse view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of theretaining means of the modified form as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal view along one edge of a set-square and a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of a T-square and disclosing a further modified form of a means to permit moving the set-square in predetermined movements relative to'said T-square.

Fig. 7 is a transverse view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. l. 2

-Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

3 is a portion of a drawing board, 4 a portion of a set-square and 5 a portion of a T-square. In Fig. 1, I have shown these three members in their common working position relationship. I do not wish to be limited to the use of the new principle of drafting disclosed in this application to drawing boards, set-square or T-square, as the new principle herein set forth may be advantageously used in'combination with other tools, instruments or pieces of apparatus commonly used in drafting, mechanics or various other arts with equivalent efiiciency and without material change.

I will first explain the T-square construction as disclosed in Fig. 1. 5a is the blade and 5b is the head of the T-square 5. The blade 5a has an opening 6 formed adjacent the connection to the head 5b. 1 is a bed plate of substantially triangular form,- which is preferably riveted to the upper face of the blade 5a. The short side of the bed plate .1 is adjacent the edge of the opening 6 away from the head 5b. 8 is a member pivotally mounted at one end to one end of the bed plate 1, as at 9. I0 is a movable member having longitudinal slots ll therein. l2 are pins supported from the base plate I and adjacent the opening 6. These pins are positioned in the slots H and the movable member If! is adapted to be reciprocated relative thereto. The movable member It is provided with a tab M from the rear side thereof, which tab carries a pin l5 therein. The forward end 8a of the member 8 is slotted to receive the pin l5. On appropriate movement of the free end of the member 8, the movable member H) may be caused to move laterally in either of two opposite directions. indicated by the arrows A and-B. The end 8a of the member 8 is bent back overitself for a slight distance towards the periphery edge of the dial plate member hereinafter referred to. This bent back portion is provided with an arrow thereon or is of arrow formation to indicate in relationship to the graduations of the said plate member.

Mounted on the upper side of the bed plate I is a' transverse-member l8, having a pinion rack I 9 formed on the inner face (toward the pivotal point 9) thereof. Supported in and extending upwardly from the member 8 is a pin 20 on which a pinion 2| is fixedly mounted. Pinion 2| ment with the pinion rack 19. If desired, a cam and cam plate of predetermined construction to cause the desired movement hereinafter referred to may be substituted lieu of the pinion rack and pinion just mentioned. 22 is a knob fixedly carried on the upper end [of the pin 20. 23 is a plate fixedly-carriedon the pin 20 intermediate the knob 22 and the upper face of the pinion 2| or this plate 23 may be a flanged integral portion of the knob 22. The marginal edge of the plate or flange ,23 is of a lower elevation than the central portion thereof.

Upon rotation of the knob 22, the pinion 2| will be rotated in mesh relationship to the rack I9 and the free end of .the pivoted member .8 will reciprocate the movable member 10, in the direction of the arrow A or in the :direction of the arrow B, which will carry the indicating member I! in a corresponding direction.

24 is an indicating member having a central opening therein adapted to register with the central portion of the plate or flange 23. The outer portion of the plate or flange 23 is provided with upstanding .studs 25 and the member 24 is :provided with openings therein adapted :to register with and receive the studs 25 :so that the member 24 may be placed only in a predetermined relationship/to the plate or flange 23. The inner portion of the plate or flange 23 is provided with any suitable means, such as pivoted plates 26, for retaining the member 124 in operating position relative thereto.

The member '24 will have its outer circumferential edge notched at predetermined spaced intervals and the face of the member will "have divisional graduations thereon according to the scale being used. With each apparatus, I intend to provide a plurality of these graduated members 24, each with a predetermined set ofouter circumferential notches and divisional gradua-. tions to correspond in relationship to various scales commonly used in drafting and lay-out work. On each member there is preferably one point to be known as the zero point and the graduations extend in opposite directions therefrom. Carried on the upper face of the pivotal member 8, I provide .a pawl assembly, the outer end of the movable pawl engaging the notches in the member 24 as at 28. The notches as engaged by the outer end 28 of the movable pawl are of a predetermined :spaced relation to each other and directly co-related to the divisional graduations on the member 24. The outer end 8a of the movable member 8 may be provided with an indication arrow or line 29 to register with the graduations on the face of the member 24 when the end 28 of the movable pawl is in engagement with the co-relating notch in the member 24.

I will now describe the preferred embodiment of my invention as disclosed in combination with the set-square 4. I have found that it is not necessary to use the bed plate 1 when attaching my apparatus to a set-square. properties of the materials used in the manufacture of set-squares are such as to preclude any substantial wear of the opening receiving the pivot 9. The same may apply to othertools or instruments. Therefore, the movable member 8 is pivoted direct to the set-square as at -9. Also,'

is in constant engage-.

The well known' scribed as in combination with the T-square. It

will be appreciated that the set-square 4 has three utility edges which are commonly used to obtain various "lines in drafting or in lay-out work. The apparatus being described in this application is of such a nature that indicating members may be operated at any one-of the three utility edges .of the set-square from a. common centre of operation. In :the present disclosure, I have shown .a secondary member 8 asbeing pivotally mountedat 9. This member 8' is substantially at right angles to the member 8 and has a common movable member ill with associate parts as hereinbefore described. The member B is provided with an upstanding stud 30. The member -8 is provided with an angularly disposed slot 3i adapted to receive the end of the stud 30. Upon movement of the member -8, the pin 30 -is moved by cam action directly in relation to the movable member B. .By this interconnection between the movable member 8 and the movable member 8, I obtain common relative movement of the respective indicating members I1 and H. Inproviding for the third member and similar common relative movement, another indicating member l1 would operate along the marginal edge 4' of the set-square and its movable member would be pivoted from a point intermediate the movable members in. The stud 30 would extend downwardly from the under face of the member 8 and would engage in a slot formed in such movable member similar to slot 3| but formed at a predetermined relationship to obtain the desired uniform movement of the various members 10.

Where the common moving members 'Ill move at right angles to each other as shown in Fig. l of the drawing herewith, a fixed pin may be carried in the adjacent ends of the members In and an equal armed bell-crank, engaging these 'pins may be used to provide a common co-related movement. The bell-crank may be pivotally mounted direct to the set-square.

In operating the various parts of my drafting apparatus, it has been found of exceptional great advantage to have a simple means of providing an assembly combination between a set-square and the blade of a T-square. To obtain this re sult in a most simple manner, I provide an engagement member of a wish-bone shape. This engagement member comprises a head 32 from which extends resilient arms 33, preferably carrying finger engagement members 34 intermediate the ends thereof. The free ends of the arms 33 are bent laterally and are adapted to engage in spaced openings 35 (which form part of the engagement means hereinafter claimed) in the set-square adjacent to the respective edges thereof. The head 32 is so formed as to provide a slide member for contact with one edge of the T-squareblade. This engagement member may also be used for providing an inter-engagement relationship between the head of the T-square and thedrawing board 3. The drawing board 3 will be provided with a suitable scale along its working iaroogoco edge which is provided with openings' into cross-section lines by moving the dial membera which the ends of the arms 33 may be engaged.

On the working edge of the drafting board 3 and the worlnng edge of the T-square blade 50., I provide a single or double scale in parallelrelationship. Preferably each have a common zero point respectively on the T-square and the drawing board. In drafting, architectual work, .mechanical work, in lay-out work or in many other arts, a one-eighth /8) scale equalling one foot or a three-sixteenth scale equalling .one foot are commonly used to obtain-the various required drawings or lay-out. Therefore, I have illustrated the double scale, with the one-eighth A on the marginal edge and the three-sixteenth separate but adjacent thereto. In certain work, it may be found advantageous to have other common scales on the T-square or drawing board. For such purpose, one or other of such scales may be substituted for one of the scales shown. The indicating members I! and II have sufiicient movement relative to the end of their respective movable members ID to be adjustable for operation with either scale. When not being used, the member is moved back of the working edge of the member to which it is attached.

Under ordinary circumstances, the draftsman using my apparatus can quickly adjust the indicating member or II to the point on the scale desired. But under certain circumstances where absolute accuracy is desired, a stop pin 36 may be fitted into the openings 31 and 31 or openings 38 and 38' and which when thus positioned will pro.- vide an absolute stop against which the indicating member l1 and I1 may be brought without straining the eyes and be assured that the member is at the right position on the scale.

Referring to the construction of my apparatus as shown on the set-square 4, it will be noted that the indicating member l1 and the dial plate member 24 are both set at zero on the one-eighth inch scale. If the draftsman desires to measure twelve feet three inches to the right of the zero point as now shown, he would place the stop pin 36 in the opening 31a and move the setsquare to the right and engage the indicating member ll back against the right side of the stop pin 36. This would be a. measurement of twelve (12) feet. We now require an additional three inches. To obtain this measurement, the knob 22 is turned anti-clockwise until the third division X on the dial member registers with the indicating point 29. In turning the dial member, as just mentioned, and at the same time keeping the indicating finger II in contact with the stop pin 36, the set-square has been moved to the right three ninety-sixths of an inch, which on this scale is equivalent to three inches. The same results may be obtained by first drawing your upright line with the set-square in the position as shown at zero. Then, the draftsman' may pick up the set-square and turn the dial member to the third division X and then place the indicating finger against the right side of the stop pin 36, which will be the proper position for the measurement of twelve feet three inches from the first drawn upright line; If desired, the stop pin 36 may be eliminated and the indicating member placed to register with the desired graduation on the scale. i

If the draftsman is making cross section of a certain part, he may set the stop: pin 36 in any desired opening 31 according to the position of his set-square relative to the part being crosssectioned and can get a series of absolute parallel notches.

predetermined number of divisions according to the width between the section lines desired. The same cross sectioning results may be obtained by use of the modified forms as disclosed in. Figs. 3 to t 7, inclusive. In the modified form as disclosed in Figs. 3 to- 5, inclusive, the member 39 is equivalent to the stop pin 36.. This member 39 is provided with integral pins adapted'to be fitted into predetermined sets of openings in the T-square blade I while the member 4!] will be carried by the setsquare 4. 4| is the movable member, which in this modified form is threadedly engaged through the member 39. Preferably the threading on this member 4! would be sixteen. (16) threads per inch. 42 is the dial member carried on the member 4|, which dial member preferably is provided with four equally spaced notches on its periphery, a retaining spring 43 is adapted to engage these With the member 4| being threaded sixteen (16) threads to the inch, each revolution will provide a movement of one-sixteenth of an inch. If closer lines are desired than a one-sixteenth 5) these may be obtained through the use of the notches in the periphery of the dial member 42. A one-quarter A9 notch turn of the dial member 42 would then be equivalent to the making of lines one sixty-fourth of an inch apart.

Referring to the modified form illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7, the member .39 is supported from the blade of a T-square with the pins engaging in the openings 31. 'I'he member is removably carried on the set-square and in this modified form the movable member 4| is pivotally mounted in relation to the member 40. The member 39' is formed to provide a stop 42 which is equivalent to the pin 36. The member 4| is provided with a rack portion on its under edge. These rack members 4| are interchangeably mounted in relation to the member 40' and the rack teeth formation may be such as topermit various predetermined movements such as a movement distance of a one sixtyfourth 434), one thirty-second (5), one sixteenth or a one-eighth The principal and modified forms that I have shown of this portion of my invention have been found equally advantageous in providing equipment which will facilitate the drawing of cross section lines or where a sequence of predetermined spacing lines are required.

The foregoing specification and annexed drawings disclose the preferred embodiment of my invention, but it is to be understood that minor changes may be resorted to in the commercial adaptation of my invention without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What I claim as new is:

1. The combination with a measuring instrument, of a lay-out tool or instrument having at leastone edge, an apparatus mounted thereon and embodying an indicating member movably mounted to be moved by said apparatus in a direction substantiallyparallel to said edge of said lay-out tool or instrument and relative to said measuring instrument for measurement indication.

2. The combination with a lay-out tool or instrumenthaving at least one edge, of an apparatus mounted thereon and embodying an indicating member .movably mounted to be moved by said apparatus in a direction substantially parallel to said edge and also mounted for inde- ;pendent movement inwardly of and outwardly 'beyond said edge.

3. The combinationwith a measuring instrument, of a. lay-out tool or instrument having at least one edge, an apparatus mounted thereon and embodying an indicating member mova'bly mounted to be moved by saidtapparatus,=in:either sof two directions parallel to said edge and relative to saidrneasuring instrument "for .measure- 10 ment indication.

4. The combination with a lay-out tool or instrument having at least more than oneedge, of an apparatus embodying'a :plurality of indicating .members, each member being .adjacentto one 'edge of the tool or instrument and each imovably mounted to be moved by the apparatus in a direction substantially parallel to that edge and said "apparatus further including a means for moving the indicatingmembers.

'5. The combination with a lay-out tool or instrument having at least one edge, of an apparatus mounted thereon and embodying an indicating member movably mounted to be moved by said apparatus ineitherof two-directionssub- 'stantially parallel to said edge of said tool or "instrument, said :apparatus further including movably mounted graduatedmeans for defining predetermined ,fractional divisions of thetotal movement of said indicating member. 6. .-A-construction as defined in claim5, wherein the apparatus is provided with a retainer means for releasably retaining the graduated means in positions corresponding to .the fractional divisions indicated by said graduated ,means.

-7. The combination with .a lay-out tool or instrument having at least one edge, of an apparatus movably mounted thereon and embodying an indicatingmember movably .mounted to be moved by said apparatus in .adirection substantiallyparallel to said edge of the tool or 'instrument, said apparatus being adapted to receive removably mounted and interchangeable graduated means for indicating predetermined fractional divisions of the total movement of said indicating member. 8. The combination with a pluralityofllay-out tools or instruments, each of which has at least one edge, of an apparatus embodying an indicating member carried by and arranged adjacent to the edge of one'of said tools or instruments, the edge of the other such tool or instrument having various scales adjacent thereto, said indicating member being movable by said apparatus in either direction substantially parallel'to such scaled edge to permit indication on said scales, said indicating member being also mounted for independent .movement inwardly or outwardly beyond said scaled edge.

9. A construction as defined .in claim I8, wherein the scaled edge of the .tool oriinstrument is formed witha series. of receiving means spaced from each other a predetermined .amount, and wherein a removably mounted member is shaped to be positioned in any one of said receiving means to provide a stopfor. said indicating member.

10. In combination with a plurality of lay-out tools or instruments, having correlated edges, one of which is provided With'a'plurality of predetermined spaced receiving means adjacent to the correlated edges, and a removably mounted retaining member having {portions thereof adapted :to selectively. engage-the receiving means of one of :said tools or instruments and having other portions shaped to engage the other of said tools or instruments to interchangeably maintain a predetermined position relationship at said cor- ;related edges thereof but movable in relation thereto.

.11. combination with a plurality of lay-out tools or instruments, having correlated edges, eachedge being provided with a plurality of predetermined spaced receiving means adjacent to the zcorrela'ted edges; a supporting member adapted to be engaged *inxthe receiving means of :one of said tools or instruments, an engagement member carried by the supporting member to cooperate with the other of said tools or instruments; :and a cooperative stop member adapted to be "engaged in "the receiving means of the other-"of said tools or instruments to limit relative movement of the tools or instruments.

.12. .A mechanism .for use in connection with a lay-:out tool or instrument having at least one edge, for indicating minute scale distances of tool :m'ovement, comprising an element movably mounted .on the vtoo1,'an indication-defining parv mounted for movement'zin substantial parallelism with .:said edge of the tool or instrument, and means whereby movement of the element is transmitted 'to the indication-defining part to move such :part in steps of predetermined dis- .tance.

13. A mechanism, for use with a lay-out tool or. instrument having at least one edge, for predetermining minute scale distances of tool movement, comprising an element mounted on saiditool .or'instrument,;an indicator adapted for mountingonsaid tool *or instrument for movement adjacent said edge of the tool or instrument, a connection between the element and indicator .to cause movement of the element to movetthe indicator, :and means whereby the element'may be'manually moved predetermined distances to move the indicator.

?14."Th'ecombination with a scaled measuring instrument, of :a'lay-out tool having at least one edge, an :indicating element supported on the tool forilimitedmovement toward and from said edge, .andrmeans mounted on the instrument to selectively move said element in cooperation with the scaled measuring instrument, with each movement o'f'the element being an-increment of a scale division ofthe scaled instrument.

.15..The combination "with a scaled measuring instrument of 1a :lay-out .tool having an edge for usezin .draftin'g,tan. apparatus mounted on the tool and including an element cooperating with the scaled instrument, and means on the tool for movi dtheselementtoward and from such edge oftthe tool,with each movement of the element an .:-increment of a scale division of the scaled instrument.

16. Means for adjusting a lay-out tool for drafting purposes to determine accurate measurement positioning of .the drafting edge of that todlycomprising an element carried by the tool, means 'for :moving the element toward and from the :drafting edge of the tool in predetermined successive uniform increments of movement, means for limiting the movement of the element in both directions, said means forming a guide for element movement.

CHESTER A. SPOTZ. 

